Enloe trial: DNA sample from recovered rifle matched defendant

Thomas Enloe sits awaiting trial to resume on Wednesday, May 2, 2018. Enloe is charged and being tried for first degree murder in the shooting death of 22-year-old Trevor Eaton.(Photo: DeJanay Booth/Current-Argus)Buy Photo

Forensic scientist Ewelina Bajda with the New Mexico Department of Public Safety testified on Wednesday, that DNA samples were collected from a 7mm-08 rifle that is believed to have been used by the defendant on the night of the shooting.

The rifle, along with bullet casings were found at the defendant's home.

Bajda told jurors that a reddish-brown stain, believed to be blood, was located on the "stock" of the rifle. There was also DNA recovered on the trigger and trigger guard.

Bajda said another sample was found on the stock, but she was not able to provide identification because the sample was "too complex" and mixed with at least two DNA profiles.

Homeowner testifies

William Weldy said he was within a few feet of Eaton when the victim was shot on Weldy's front porch stairs in November 2016.

Weldy told jurors that Enloe and Eaton, along with other family members friends, were at the home he shared with his wife and four children for a housewarming party.

Weldy said there was no indication of a problem at the party, but recalled Enloe leaving and throwing his cellphone in a fire pit in front of the house.

He said it was at least five minutes after Enloe left that he heard the first gunshot he said struck Eaton. Weldy testified that he was holding the screen door open for Eaton as he proceeded to walk up the stairs into the house at the time of the shot.

He testified that he picked up the casing after the shooting and placed them on the couch. Through cross examination by defense attorney Jon Fredlund, Weldy was questioned about casings being found in a bag in the master bedroom.

He denied moving the casing from the couch and told jurors that he was not concealing any evidence from police.

He testified that when first responders arrived at his home the night of the shooting, he handed them the cellphone that was allegedly thrown in the fire pit by Enloe.

Weldy told jurors that the night of the shooting was his first time meeting Eaton, and the incident was something he tries to avoid discussing.

"Somebody lost their son," he said.

The trial will continue 9 a.m. Friday in Fifth Judicial District Court in Carlsbad.

DeJanay Booth can be reached at 575-628-5546, dbooth@currentargus.com and @DeJanayBooth on Twitter.